09.08.2026 13:40
In the Hopa district of Artvin, fishermen found an unmanned aerial vehicle on the water surface off the coast. A 600-meter security perimeter was established in the area due to the possibility that the UAV might carry explosives, and when it drifted to within 50 meters of the shore, the highway was temporarily closed to traffic. SAS commandos launched an operation to safely destroy the UAV.
Fishermen in the Hopa district of Artvin found an object identified as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) off the coast. A 600-meter security perimeter was established around the UAV due to the possibility of it carrying explosives. As it drifted to within 50 meters of the shore, the road was temporarily closed to traffic. Artvin Governor Turan Ergün announced that SAS commandos would safely destroy the object from a secure distance in a controlled manner.
FISHERMEN NOTICED IT
The incident occurred off the coast of Sugören Fisherman's Shelter in the Hopa district. Fishermen noticed a foreign object on the water surface yesterday afternoon and alerted the authorities. Upon the report, marine police went to the area and conducted underwater imaging. The teams sent the obtained photographs to the Underwater Defense Group Command (SAS) units. The examination determined that the object was an unmanned aerial vehicle.
600-METER SECURITY PERIMETER ESTABLISHED
The teams took extensive security measures, considering the possibility that the UAV might be loaded with explosives. A 600-meter security perimeter was established around the object from both sea and land.
The UAV, moving with the current, approached to about 50 meters from the shore after a while. Thereupon, the road along the coastline was temporarily closed to traffic.
After the UAV drifted back offshore, the teams reopened the road to traffic in a controlled manner. Coast Guard teams continued to monitor the object's movement at sea.
SAS COMMANDOS DEPLOYED TO THE REGION
SAS commandos deployed to the region began efforts to safely destroy the object, which had been moved to a secure area.
Artvin Governor Turan Ergün also made a statement about the incident at the crisis center established at the Hopa District Governorate.
Ergün stated that the first report came in around 16:35 regarding an object seen in front of the Sugören Fisherman's Shelter.
"WE TOOK PRECAUTIONS FOR THE WORST-CASE SCENARIO"
Stating that marine police conducted underwater imaging, Ergün said the photographs were sent to SAS commandos.
Ergün said, "Our SAS commandos considered the possibility that this could be an unmanned surface vehicle. We took precautions first, always evaluating that it could be loaded with explosives according to the worst-case scenario. Now, our colleagues have stretched a 600-meter net there."
"WE GOT WORRIED WHEN IT APPROACHED WITHIN 50 METERS"
Governor Ergün, explaining that the object drifted toward the shore due to the wind, said it approached to about 50 meters from the coast at one point.
Ergün said, "To be honest, we got a bit worried about that, but it is currently about 400 meters offshore. Our Coast Guard Station Command here is monitoring it from a certain distance at sea."
"WE WILL DETONATE IT SAFELY"
Stating that they temporarily closed the road to traffic when the UAV approached the shore, Ergün said they reopened the road in a controlled manner as the object drifted back offshore. Governor Ergün said, "When our SAS commandos arrive here, we will detonate it safely from a secure distance."